Technical fault likely sparked car fire on A2

A car caught fire on the A2 motorway near Laßnitzhöhe in the Graz-Umgebung district on Monday evening. No one was injured, ORF reported.

A 19-year-old was driving towards Graz with two other people when he noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment at about 6 p.m. He pulled into the next emergency bay, and all three occupants got out and called emergency services.

The fire spread and engulfed the car. Firefighters from Gleisdorf and Ludersdorf responded with seven vehicles and 35 personnel, bringing the blaze under control and declaring it extinguished at about 6.15 p.m.

The car was written off, and two ASFINAG concrete components were damaged. Police investigators said the fire was almost certainly caused by a technical fault in the engine compartment. The first and second lanes were closed during the firefighting operation, and the A2 fully reopened at 7.30 p.m. Authorities said there was no danger to people or the environment.